Our School

The Department for Education has introduced a statutory duty for schools to promote British Values from September 2014, and to ensure that they are actively promoted and adhered to in schools.

Tupton Hall School is committed to serving its community. It recognises the multi-cultural, multi faith and ever-changing nature of the United Kingdom. It also understands the vital role it has in ensuring that groups or individuals within the school are not subjected to intimidation or radicalisation by those wishing to unduly, or illegally, influence them.

The school follows equal opportunities guidance to prevent discrimination against any individual or group, regardless of faith, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, political or financial status, or similar. We are dedicated to preparing students for their adult life beyond the formal examined curriculum and ensuring that we promote and reinforce British values to all our students.

The Government emphasises that schools are required to ensure that key ‘British Values’ are taught in all UK schools. The government set out its definition of British values in the 2011 Prevent Strategy.

The five British Values are:

• Democracy
• The rule of law
• Individual liberty
• Mutual respect
• Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs

Tupton Hall School uses strategies within the National curriculum and beyond to secure such outcomes for students. The examples that follow show some of the many ways the school seeks to embed British values.

Democracy

Democracy can be seen as a state of society characterised by equality of rights and privileges.  It can also refer to our nation’s electoral systems.

In school we promote democracy through such things as:

• The fair election process for student positions of responsibility.
• Surveying student voice on key school decisions and as part of the quality assurance processes in school.
• Providing leadership opportunities through programmes such as Junior Sports Leadership, Modern Foreign Languages Leaders, School Ambassadors.
• The principle of democracy is also explored in aspects of the formal curriculum as well as in tutor time and assemblies.

The Rule of Law

All people and institutions are subject to and accountable to law that is fairly applied and enforced. 

In school we promote the importance of the rule of law through such things as:

• The school Code of Conduct and Behaviour for Learning policy.
• The use of positive and negative sanctions for students’ choices in their behaviour.
• Pastoral support and intervention, such as restorative justice practice, to resolve conflict.
• Aspects of the curriculum, tutor time and assemblies that explore the reasons behind laws that govern and protect us, the responsibilities that this involves and the consequences when laws are broken.
• Liaison with authorities such as the Police and Fire Service to reinforce this message.

Individual Liberty

Individual liberty suggests the free exercise of rights generally seen as outside government control.

In school we promote the importance of individual liberty through such things as:

• The anti-bullying policy and culture for all students and staff, allowing the opportunity for individual choices in a safe and supportive environment.
• Increased elements of choice and freedom offered to students as they move up through the Key Stages.
• A wealth of extra-curricular activities and clubs available to all students.
• Encouraging students to share their views and opinions in lessons in a formative manner.
• Offering opportunities for freedom of speech and expression through mediums such as the school website, newsletter and social media accounts.

Students are encouraged to know, understand and exercise their rights and personal freedoms and are advised on how to exercise these safely, for example through e-safety and Learning for Life, tutorial work and assemblies.

Mutual Respect

Mutual respect is the proper regard for an individual’s dignity, which is reciprocated. 

In school we promote the importance of mutual respect through such things as:

• Our 3 basic classroom rules, followed in all areas of the school.
• The wide range of support available to students who are facing difficulties.
• The example that staff set in the way they behave towards each other and to students.
• Teaching students that their behaviour has an effect on their own rights and those of others.
• The development of skills through outdoor education opportunities, visits and trips at home and abroad, work experience placements, cross-curricular IMPACT days, the Learning for Life programme of lessons and tutorials and our broad and balanced curriculum.

Tolerance of Those of Different Faiths and Beliefs

The school expects all students, staff, governors, parents and volunteers working with the school to have a fair, objective and permissive attitude to those whose faith and beliefs may differ from one’s own.

In school we promote this through such things as:

• Opportunities for students to experience other cultures through foreign trips, international visitors and links with schools abroad.
• Encouraging students to share their faith and beliefs within the school.
• The Religious Studies curriculum which provides a broad and balanced education on a range of faiths, religions and cultures.
• A strong SMSC (Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural) element in assemblies and in Learning for Life tutorials delivered in tutor time.

Tupton Hall School strives to ensure that its students leave with the strongest foundation of values upon which to build a successful life and a successful contribution to our society.